The Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) is a European wide network working in the field of language policy & planning for Constitutional, Regional & Small-State Languages (CRSS) across Europe. NPLD includes Governments both national and regional, NGO’s, Universities and Associations.
NPLD’s main goal is to raise awareness at a European level on the vital importance of linguistic diversity. It also aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices among the policy makers, practitioners, researchers and experts from all over Europe.
(There are approximately 500 million EU citizens, and of those some 10% speak a regional or minority language...click here for more information)
Over the past 25 years the face of language planning in Europe has changed considerably. Many national and regional governments have established language boards or departments to promote their language, both at home and at a European level. As a result a new breed of language planning professional has developed with a new and developed expertise in this field. The NPLD will respond to this development by providing a forum for these professionals to share best practice, and create strong partnerships to move CRSS language planning forward.
The NPLD works to represent Europe’s linguistic diversity as an oportunity, as a key instrument for the personal, social and economic development of Europe and its citizens, as well as for intercultural dialogue between Europeans. To this end, the NPLD wishes to work hand in hand with the European institutions and the different language communities to ensure that all languages, regardless of status, number speakers or political weight contribute on an equal footing to the construction of an ever-closer Union.
Click here to view a clip of Meirion Prys Jones, CEO of the NPLD, speaking about the Networks purpose and role
